When a Boy Found
a Familiar Feel
in a Pat of
the Head of State
In the photo that has hung
in the West Wing for three years,
President Obama looks to be bowing
to 5-year-old Jacob Philadelphia,
his arm raised to touch the president’s hair
— to see if it feels like his.
So Obama does not talk about race?
He walks his talk.
I looooove this image-
the scrutiny and amazement in Jacob’s eyes
as his fingers feel the texture of Obama’s hair
and
the humility of
our President
willingly
stooping to meet
the height of a five year old boy
to answer a five year old boy’s
question:
Jacob spoke first.
“I want to know if my hair is just like yours,”
he told Mr. Obama,
so quietly that the president asked him to speak again.
Jacob did, and Mr. Obama replied,
“Why don’t you touch it and see for yourself?”
He lowered his head,
level with Jacob, who hesitated.
“Touch it, dude!” Mr. Obama said.
As Jacob patted the presidential crown,
Mr. Souza snapped.
“So, what do you think?” Mr. Obama asked.
“Yes, it does feel the same,” Jacob said.
This is character, this is beauty,
this is indelible, this is compassion,
this is honoring, this is equality,
this is wonder, this is hope
this is steward leadership.
I looove that this story was published
on my beloved friend’s birth date,
the late Jane Matteson.
I know what her response
to this moment
would have been.
CATHERINE L. JOHNSON 
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